The Washington Nationals donned their new patriotic uniforms for the first time Monday night in honor of Military Appreciation Day at Nationals Park, and the racing presidents joined the festivities with new matching uniforms of their own.

With Nationals starter Tom Gorzelanny and San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner locked in an intense, fast-paced pitchers duel, Monday’s race came less than an hour after first pitch.

The presidents raced single file wire to wire in the order of their presidencies, with George Washington leading the pack carrying an American flag. After the race, they tossed t-shirts into the crowd.

The new uniforms, which feature a stars and stripes Curly “W,” will be worn for the new “Patriotic Series” announced by the team for 2011.

In addition to Monday’s game, the series will include Memorial Day (May 30 against the Philadelphia Phillies), Independence Day (July 4 vs. the Chicago Cubs), Labor Day (Sept. 5 vs. the Los Angeles Dodgers), and Heroes Day (Sept. 11 vs. the Houston Astros).

UPDATE: I’ve added this close-up of the new uniform in response to some of the comments complaining that you couldn’t see the new uniforms.

With the team now on the road, the presidents races will return with the homestand beginning May 13.

Video courtesy of YouTube member lfahome.
New uniform photo courtesy of the Washington Nationals.

Yeah, the Nationals aren’t exactly setting attendance records, but for some unexplained reason, they have priced those outfield seats much higher than other locations in the Park, and they just don’t sell. They cost 33% more than seats behind the 1st or 3rd baseline. Yes, they are closer down to the field, but they are in the outfield!